The Best Family-Friendly Destinations in Orange County, New York

This post was made possible thanks to my friends at Orange County Tourism NY. This is not a sponsored post.

Orange County, N.Y. becomes The Best family-friendly destination for fun, Fascination, and Adventure. With LEGOLAND® New York Resort now open, Orange County, N.Y. holds a brighter spot on the map for family fun. But the Northeast’s first theme park in four decades is only one of a host of destinations in the county where families can find fun, adventure, and history.

“When families look for places to make memories together, Orange County, N.Y. has it all!” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism and Film.

Best Family-Friendly Destinations in Orange County, New York

With so much to see and do, it just makes sense to book a night or two at one of our many kid-friendly lodging destinations and make a weekend out of it.

Here Are Some of The Destinations That Are Fun For The Whole Family:

LEGOLAND® New York Resort

One Legoland Boulevard, Goshen

The theme park is open for its second season with seven themed areas creating a wonderland of bold primary colors, with rides and attractions. In addition, it features several dining options and a 250-room hotel with whimsically themed décor. All hotel rooms include kids’ own sleeping area with an entertainment unit, LEGO bricks to build with, and more.

The Castle Fun Center

109 Brookside Ave. Goshen. 

Just down Route 17 from LEGOLAND® New York Resort, this longstanding family favorite offers classic fun and excitement. Here you can zoom around three go-cart tracks, zip down a zipline, and ram friends and family members in bumper cars. Also try the Dragon Coaster and the Free Fall and hit the junior links at two miniature golf courses.

Working up an appetite? Grab a bite at Jesters Restaurant and Pub.

Urban Air Adventure Park

1 North Galleria Drive, Middletown

The ultimate indoor adventure park with trampolines, climbing walls, tube playground, virtual reality, and much more. The park provides a safe place for the whole family to jump, soar, race, climb, bounce, and play. It’s the perfect venue for unforgettable kids’ parties.

George Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site

84 Liberty St., Newburgh.

Visit the nation’s first publicly owned historic site and tour the rooms where American history was made. Consider the decisions General George Washington made in just a few months here. He rejected the idea of an American monarchy; ended the Newburgh Conspiracy, preventing potential military control of the government; created the Badge of Military Merit, the forerunner of the Purple Heart; and more.

Also explore the Museum, which houses the award-winning exhibit, Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection. The exhibit features more than 1,300 objects.

Finally, take a tour of the Tower of Victory and climb the steps to the newly restored belvedere. (Access to the Tower may be limited based on staffing and weather conditions.)

West Point Museum 

2110 New South Post Rd., West Point. 

Learn the history of the United States Military Academy at West Point, beginning with the garrisoning of West Point during the Revolutionary War.

Highlights include a First World War tank and murals by a D-Day veteran depicting the Allied Invasion of Europe in 1944, an atomic bomb of the type dropped on Nagasaki, and also the cannon which fired the first American shot of World War I.

Bear Mountain State Park

Palisades Parkway or Route 9W North, Bear Mountain.

With shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking and biking, there is more than enough to fill a day at Bear Mountain. Also, The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands, and Harriman State Park.

The beautiful Bear Mountain’s one-of-a-kind Merry-Go-Round features hand-painted scenes of the park, and 42 hand-carved seats of native animals including black bears, wild turkeys, deer, raccoons, and more.

Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November, weather permitting.